Tech in the crossfire of DHS funding debate

By GCN Staff

Feb 13, 2015

Jeh C. Johnson, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security outlined the consequences to border security without a DHS appropriations bill.

Among the technology programs in jeopardy are the upgrade of obsolete remote video surveillance systems and mobile video surveillance systems, geospatial intelligence analysis and non-intrusive inspection technology at ports of entry.

Johnson earlier issued a similar statement on the impact of DHS’s grant-making activity on states, local and tribal governments as long as the department is funded by a continuing resolution. Affected programs would include those for new communications equipment for over 80 public safety agencies in the Los Angeles area to replace aging and incompatible radio systems and surveillance cameras and environmental sensors used by the New York City Police Department to detect in real time potential terrorist activity.

Meanwhile, Andy Ozment, assistant secretary of the Office of Cybersecurity and Communications at DHS' National Protection and Programs Directorate, told the House Homeland Security Committee's Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies Subcommittee that a shutdown could force a furlough of 140 staff members at the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center and stall two crucial programs: Einstein and Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation.

Ozment said a shutdown would delay bringing more agencies onboard DHS's Einstein 3, the latest iteration of the agency's automated intrusion-detection program that went live in July 2013. It would also halt the protection the program provides for agencies using it.

A shutdown would also affect CDM's progress. "With CDM, we're on the verge of issuing a contract," Ozment said. "It would delay issuance of this award."

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Reader Comments

Mon, Feb 16, 2015

DHS is a waste especially their HQ. It's mismanaged and corrupt from top,to bottom.

Fri, Feb 13, 2015
Galactus

It seems a little lie the Chicken Little story with Democrats saying the Sky is falling. Its time for the Democrats to pass the Senate DHS funding bill and for President Obama to sign it. We need to deport all illegal aliens and not reward them.

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